Feeder device having increased media capacity and multiple media thickness feed capability and associated method

Abstract

A feeder device is provided, comprising a drive mechanism for driving a media unit in a feed direction, the media unit being provided from a stack of media units by a hopper including upstream and downstream hopper members. A directing member associated with the upstream hopper member engages the trailing edge of the media unit to direct the same to the drive mechanism, reduces an adhesive force between the media unit and remaining media units in the stack, and engages the trailing edge of one other media unit to direct the same toward the downstream hopper member and to partially support the weight of the remaining media units. A biased member urges the media unit against the drive mechanism, thereby increasing a driving force on the media unit, and prevents remaining media units from being fed to the receiving apparatus, also reducing the adhesive force. Associated methods are also provided.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a feeder device for a receiving apparatus and, more particularly, to a feeder device and associated method for feeding a media unit, the feeder device being capable of feeding multiple thicknesses of media units and having an increased media capacity. [0003] 2. Description of Related Art [0004] A printer device such as, for example, a printer as described herein typically includes a feeder for supplying media, such as individual cards, to the printer, a print engine which includes a transport mechanism for transporting the card through the printer and a printing mechanism for printing on the individual cards, and an exit or output hopper for receiving the printed cards. Further, the feeder generally comprises a card hopper for receiving the stack of cards to be fed, in addition to a drive mechanism for feeding the cards to the print engine. A gate at the exit of the feeder, otherwise...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a feeder device for a receiving apparatus that can securely, reliably, and efficiently feed media units of varying thickness. The feeder device has a hopper for receiving the media units, a drive mechanism for feeding the media units, and a separation mechanism for separating individual cards. The feeder device can provide effective media feeding for different types of material, thicknesses, and throughout the stack of media units. The invention solves the problem of multi-card feeding or misfeeds and ensures a reliable and efficient media feeding process.

Problems solved by technology

However, the drive roller / uniform stack hopper configuration was often unreliable for providing a driving force greater than the sticking force between cards in the stack.

For various reasons, such as ineffectiveness with warped cards or varying thickness among cards, such a rigid gate was a generally unreliable solution.

Such a mechanism, however, often hampered efforts to add more cards to the stack during the printing process.

However, such devices remained limited in effectiveness and reliability in instances of card thickness variation within a stack or warped card, or otherwise limited access to the cards remaining in the stack during the feeding process.

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